The two Stephen Mosses who both write for the Guardian (Letters, 14 August) and seem to have an amicable enough relationship have no idea what it was like being one of two Ian Andersons signed to Island Records in early 1969. Let’s just say it didn’t end well. I found having an extra initial to be the only long-term solution to the confusion.
And then there was the matter of the Ian Anderson who was a leader of the National Front, or the Scottish footballer, who mercifully both seem to have long since faded from most people’s memories. The only thing that still rankles is that the mono-limbed flute-botherer of Jethro Tull, two weeks my junior, gets in the Guardian birthdays list and I don’t!
Ian A Anderson
Cambridge
• I sympathise with Stephen Moss and Stephen Moss. But I’m sure I’m not the only reader who remembers with great fondness the joint byline “Duncan Campbell and Duncan Campbell” on an article about a Home Office proposal (How a proposed secrecy law would recast journalism as spying, 20 July). Messrs Moss should count themselves lucky that they plough different furrows.
Robin Lustig
London
• There were two students with the same name studying English at Swansea University with me. They were both called Gillian Davies and neither had a middle name. The English department distinguished between them by adding their home town in brackets after their name – even on the final results list. I hope the years have been kind to you, Gillian Davies (Wrexham) and Gillian Davies (Tonyrefail).
Carol O’Byrne
Cardiff
• Surely it’s time you invited the two Stephen Mosses to Dine Across the Divide?
Rachel David
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
